The 356 Porsche: A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity

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Item # MB-58161  ISBN: 0929758161




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There are a number of books that detail the Porche's factory history. They include fascinating tales of the personalities present and politics involved during the development of the world's finest automobile. While most are entertaining to read, they are generally lacking to some degree in accurate descriptions of the various models of 356 and the changes made over the years. This book, which originated as a collection of articles printed in the 356 Registry, seeks to be what the other books are not: an accurate guide to the authenticity of the 356 Porsche.

There once was a popular misconception that each 356 Porsche was a unique, hand-built masterpiece. At any given time during assembly, the story continued, capricious workers would pluck odd-ball or obsolete parts from bins along the line, wantonly installing them at random. This was apparently done to confound future generations of concours judges and competitors alike. Fortunately, this just was not so.

With few exceptions, 356 Porsches were constructed on assembly lines with detail changes occurring on a sequential basis. This is not to say that cars were assembled in numeric order. In fact, virtually all cars were built out of sequence. Because of this, the use of chassis numbers to identify part changes in the text of this guide should be interpreted as relative rather than absolute. Changes were often not associated with model or year breaks and may not have occurred at precisely the same time among various coachbuilders. However, it is the rule, not the exception, that up to a certain point, things were one way. At that point, a change was made and all cars subsequently assembled featured the update.

The earliest cars seem to have more than their share of peculiarities. Many were likely due to the small size of Porsche at that time and the rapid evolution of the 356 in the first few years. Later cars show remarkable consistency. Occasional cars with unusual features do not turn up, but dealer and owner modifications account for the vast majority.

The publication of the first edition of this book in 1987 was a starting point. This third edition has clarified additional information, filled in several of the blanks and dispelled some more of the myths. As with previous versions, this book serves as a guide to those restoring damaged or incomplete 356 Porsches and is a valuable reference for the concours participant and enthusiast with acquisition in mind.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments | Introduction | Background | The Models | Inner Body and Chassis | Exterior Body Panels | Exterior Trim | Luggage Compartment | Interior.
Appendices: Color Charts | Chassis Number Chart | Spotter's Guide.

The 356 Porsche: A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity